That would be correct. There's no feasible way you're getting a knee bend on GGG without some extensive modding that would probably do more harm than good to the toy.
You'd have to basically hollow out both the black connector and the bottom of the thigh and stick a joint in there. Problem then becomes 1. doing so in a way that's not immediately unattractive, and 2. do so in a way that is strong enough to support the weight and force exerted on that area. GGG may not be super heavy (until Goldymarg gets involved) but a lot of pressure is put onto the knees due to all his weight being above the waist. Honestly, I don't personally think it'd be worth it, not when there's figures like the SMP and SOC out there. The DX is designed with rock-solid durability in mind, and that extends to the design of the legs being intentionally rigid. that's why GaiGar's knee is placed below, rather than above the connector to start.
Chiming into this discussion, I think the only reasonable way of doing it without breaking the toy is to make entirely new knee joints with a hinge above the connector block. Is it worth it? Probably not. But it wouldn’t be hard to model and print.
Absolutely immense custom being cooked up from @FllFying on Twitter, it's Imperial, one of the final guys from Might Gaine! Yes that is a 1/144 GM, and Gigantic Action Scorponok's box いるかうさぎ&ふぅ on Twitter
I don't know how japanese kids play without bad guy characters. It was such a shame not to have many.
Someone tried once to make his own toy of them I haven't seen anyone have a go at Varion or Layzelber and his forms since there's detailed diagrams on how the bot transforms. That being said, I'd love to see someone try making one of Astaria bots, sadly that ain't gonna happen since there's scarce material on how they transform (I don't even know how Father is suppose to transform!)
I can only imagine they just make shit up, that's the only explanation I can think of for why Japanese villains tend to be somewhat monstrous and generic, and rarely ever as cool or cohesive as the heroes. It's why they reused the Beast Wars Transmetal II's for RID01. (and why Megatron/Gigatron looks like every anime villain ever in mecha form)
The list of cool Japanese mech/monster villains that will never get toys is huge and ever-expanding Personally I don't think generic is a fair term, though it can definitely come across that way. I do agree that them not needing to be made into toys gives them a certain aesthetic though, the designers certainly have alot more freedom in creating them. Takahiro Yamada is known for adapting toy robots to animation, mostly for Machine Robo, Dagwon, Eldoran (he also did all the 90s-2000 Japanese TF shows), but those series need monsters so it's nice to see him create designs via the villains, who I think are pretty cool. If you look up those giant art books of Super Sentai or Kamen Rider monsters, you might be surprised by how many of the designs you really like. Does anyone remember the giant skeleton with long hair from J Decker? he was piloted by a rock star or something. he was awesome too
My Tenryujin arrived the other day. Comes with parts to build both vehicle and robot modes for the sisters and for Tenryujin for a total of FIVE kits. Basically the same as the usual SMP boxset, just not separated this time. You will need to swap the weapons between modes and for combined mode. ZERO transformation and only ONE piece of gum. This is disappointingly phoned in, especially after coming off of Genesic (probably the best SMP will ever do and should never be used as a measuring stick for the line as a whole). However, I did swear that I would buy the sisters, so here I am.
Yeh we already kinda knew it would be like that. Very disappointing but hey. They look nice at least.
I was really looking forward to Tenryujin, but ended up passing on it when I saw they just made completely separate kits for each mode.
I don't really see any way around it, at this scale. So much "anime magic" involved in their designs it's not funny. The Ryu Brothers were pretty bad at it. The Sisters are even worse.
Amazing, it does transform afterall! Hmm...do I need two big, high end, gokin GGG's? Also, it appears Bandai is finally teasing their HG Grand Saurer! (credit to TAG Hobby)